Ever since Paul Reed Smith took up guitar-building in the 1980s, his name has been synonymous with great craftsmanship and amazing sound. Those traits made PRS guitars legendary, and when they decided to branch out into the amp business, the folks at PRS didn't lose sight of how they'd gotten successful to begin with. They stuck to their guns and made sure that PRS amplifiers & effects could live up to the same standards, which makes this gear every bit as desirable as any of their instruments.

The secret to high-end amplifier design is to understand that the past is just as important as the future. That's why vacuum tubes are still the go-to tech for a great amp: although newer technologies have emerged, none have managed to perfectly recreate their classic sound. That isn't to say, however, that there's no room for innovation. The tubes are just one part of the amplifier, and the rest of the electronics are important too. In light of all that, the PRS strategy makes perfect sense: combining advanced effects with the timeless, proven tube platform to get the best of both worlds.

Looking for a few suggestions to get you started with PRS amplifiers and effects? First off, you'll want to decide on the sort of setup that you need. For instance, if you want gear that takes just seconds to set up and works great for a huge variety of situations, your best bet is probably an all-in-one like the PRS Archon 50W 1x12 Guitar Tube Combo Amp. On the other hand, when you've got massive venues to fill with sound through giant speaker cabinets, a full-size amp head will get you there. One amazing example is the HXDA Tube Guitar Amp Head, which is designed to deliver sweet vintage tones reminiscent of the '60s and '70s.

The amps and effects in this section are made by PRS, but that doesn't mean you need a PRS instrument to appreciate them. They'll sound amazing with any guitar you choose to plug into them - and considering their outstanding build quality and tone, you just might find that your axe will sound better with a PRS amp than it's ever sounded before.